Leaked NFLPA report exposes several problems for Bucs at the worst time and shows how players truly feel about Todd Bowles
Bucs received bad grades in several key areas as free agency looms.
Just two weeks ago, the NFL won a grievance against the NFLPA that stated the player’s association’s report cards were no longer allowed to be made public.
The NFLPA said it would continue its surveys, as it is important to know how players feel about their work environment and if there are any ongoing transgressions that need to be addressed. However, nothing was said about leaked grades and the information that would come with them.
That’s exactly what happened on Thursday: The latest batch of NFLPA report cards were leaked to the public, probably much to the disdain of the owners who wanted the grades kept in the dark.
How did the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fare? Well, let’s just say they have plenty to work on this year, including revamping the defensive side of the ball.
Bucs finish 29th overall in NFLPA grading
Below are the official grades for each topic surveyed by the NFLPA:
- Treatment of Families: D
- Home Game Field: F-
- Food/Dining Area: D+
- Nutritionist/Dietician: B-
- Locker Room: D-
- Training Room: C
- Training Staff: C+
- Weight Room: A-
- Strength Coaches: A
- Position Coaches: B
- Offensive Coordinator: B
- Defensive Coordinator: A-
- Special Teams Coordinator: C+
- Team Travel: F
- Head Coach: B
- General Manager: A-
- Team Ownership: D
- Overall Rank: 29
In which areas did the Bucs lack most?
The Bucs scored a “C” or less in several key areas. Treatment of families, home game field, food/dining area, locker room, training room, team travel, and team ownership all fall into that category with former special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey barely making the cut with a “C+” grade.
The poor grades regarding family treatment, home field (which we already knew was an issue but still), food/dining area, locker room, team travel, and team ownership will certainly catch the eye of free agents debating where their next home should be. All of those grades consisted of the “D” variety at best, with two even receiving failing grades.
Especially a free agent that could be considered a “ring-chaser”. Why would they want to spend the last year or two in an environment like the one portrayed above? It certainly adds a new layer Jason Licht and Co. will have to combat over the next few weeks.
How do the players feel about Todd Bowles?
Bowles received a “B” grade, which shows the players are cool with him in an overall sense. It’s certainly a subject worth discussing since there were questions about whether or not he was keeping a grip on the locker room during the Buccaneers’ late-season slide.
The defensive coordinator category also received an “A-“, which is obviously Bowles wheelhouse, as well. It does seem as if the players still believe in Bowles despite last year’s debacle from Week 10-on.
But it’s clear the Buccaneers have a ton of work to do when it comes to upping the ante at One Buc Place. There have been suspicions and some confirmations about how the ship is ran, but this latest batch of information speaks loudly and it’ll be intriguing to see how the franchise responds.
And of course, actions will speak much, much louder than words.